To expect my neighbour to take responsibility for his cat attacking mine?!!

[cleanasawhistle2195]

Back story: we live by a busy main road- cross the main road, and a family have just moved in about 5 weeks ago with their cat.

About two weeks ago- I had to chase their cat from our garden, it was just sat by the rockery. I knew it was theirs as I walk past their house and have seen it sat in the window. Not a problem- cats roam, I get that.

But now it's much more serious- the cat has attacked mine, leaving him with injuries which I've had to spend £60 (that I don't really have) to get sorted at the vets this morning. Not to mention whatever it will cost me when we have to go back in 10 days.

Went to knock today to have a word, and they have openly admitted their cat can be vicious- but aren't willing to leave it locked in as they have a toddler and the cat needs an escape. I asked them what they were going to do about the £60 it had cost me at the vet this morning, and they refuse to reimburse us. Quite frankly, I'm seething.

The cat has been in the garden again today- I went out with a water pistol but it scarpered before I got near. Went and spoke to our neighbour next door, and she told me she has had to chase the cat out of her garden as well.

Kitty now has to stay in for 10 days and is already driving me bonkers with his yowling to get out, not to mention the puddles and shit I've had to clean up today as he doesn't seem to be able to work out the litter tray is for him (fair enough I guess seeing as he hasn't come across one for 13 years!. Don't see why I should have to keep my cat in long term- we've never had any problems and he loves his independance, so to take that away from him now- well, I don't think it would be very fair.

Quite honestly, I'm thinking about reporting them. AIBU for that- and AIBU to think it's their responsibility?!

There are 4 black toms along our road (all neutered) and not a fight amongst them that I've heard. One sits all cocksure in the middle of our field goading my cat. I should have a word with the owner.

I'm going to go against the grain here. While people are correct, that the law accepts that catx roam and hunt, so the owners of cats are not responsible for the consequences of this behaviour, an overly aggressive cat is different. The 'Cat Group' have published a guide to the law re cats, and the owners of an overly aggressive cat could well be liable for the damage caused by their cat. (Pg 11 of their guide)

the guide [www.thecatgroup.org.uk/pdfs/Cats-law-web.pdf here]]

Think of it as karma for 13 years of your cat shitting in other people's gardens.

Why does it always have to be about poo?

ooh maybe other cat will get a Asbo for ABH...

If you can ill afford to pay the vets bills then why on earth do you not have insurance?

Not only are YBU but a little bit loopy as well

Chasing that cat out of the garden, may result in it being hit by a car. Will you then pay for vet treatment for their cat?

Unless this is a reverse or a windup thread.

I have a tortoise. He is well hard

I've got a tortoise and it got beaten up by a gang of snails from next door. I would have reported it to the police but the problem was it all happened so quickly.

ttwk

Are you seriously thinking of reporting a cat fight?

I love mumsnet.

OK, first of all, can someone please explain to me how to cat - proof a garden?

Secondly, our neighbour complained our cat to us for leaving a dead rat on NDN'S doorstep. Our cat must have been a marvellous cat, because he was dead for six months at that stage.

Yabu.
One of mine, tiny female rules the area. It's be respectful or leave. She never has a mark on her, but given a couple of the dominant toms we have locally, she must have done something to them to get them to respect her.
If someone came to my door demanding I paid vet bills I'd refuse. Because your cat had the option to back down and run, but didn't, therefore it wasn't a one way fight. And by demanding vet bills and that I kept mine in, I'd write you off as a loon. If you'd discussed it politely though after more than one fight
I'd probably offer to work out some sort of rota.
£60 isn't much for a cat fight, used to have a Tom that was costing that at least once a month a decade ago.

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Is this the cat?

Has the OP told us who she is going to report a cat fight to??

Whilst I agree with the importance of insurance I kind of find the posts in this case redundant considering the vet fees are £60, that's v likely to almost match or be less than the excess

This is why I don't allow my cats outdoors.

You let them out you accept the risk of them being run over and getting into fights with other cats. It's just how it is.

Has the OP told us who she is going to report a cat fight to??

Probably the Serious Clawed Office.

Just when you think you've heard it all, you find out that you actually haven't!

Who on this earth would you report a cat fight to? If you ring the police you'll be on the list of the most ridiculous reports that always comes out in the press.

There's a little owl that lives in our street, it dives at the cats and torments them. The poor buggers are really, really scared of it.

Report to him?

OP, on a serious note, perhaps post in "The litter tray", cats usually work it out between them, your cat will start to roam at a different time to theirs.

Was it anti-biotics that you paid for? It's just how it is with cat bites.

I don't think cats attack each other, more that they have a fight in a mutual sort of way.

If your cat had run away there would have been no fight.

My old boy has recently had to learn that fighting isn't such a great idea these days and walks off.

Maybe your cat will have learned that violence isn't the answer.

Did you even actually see the fight, or are you just presuming it's new cat.

How do you know your cat is innocent? I've got the most chilled gentle cat but when I've seen him outside, he's all animal instinct.

Unless you saw the fight, you can't assume the cat inured yours.